Robredo: Officials getting unauthorized vaccines mock regulatory agencies

Vice President Leni Robredo stated that public officials receiving COVID-19 vaccines that lack emergency use authorization (EUA) makes a mockery of the country's regulatory agencies.

Robredo specifically commented on President Rodrigo Duterte's inoculation with the China-made Sinopharm vaccine, which only has a special permit for compassionate use.

She emphasized that public officials publicly declaring their vaccination with unauthorized vaccines effectively promotes those products.

The Vice President argued that the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) efforts would be rendered futile if the vaccine authorization process is disregarded.

President Duterte had previously defended his Sinopharm vaccination, citing the compassionate use permit, a stance confirmed by the FDA.

Despite ordering the recall of 1,000 Sinopharm doses, President Duterte indicated his intention to receive his second dose.